A Test of the Competitive Exclusion Theory in Two Related Species of Butterflies
Sarah Dioski, 135 Main St., Oil City, PA 16215
Oil City High School, Oil City, PA
Teacher and/or Mentor: Mrs. Georgiana Spallanzi/Mr. Joseph Pascale
The food habits of larval butterflies of two related species Papilio splendens and Papilio
blanchii in a zone of overlap near Oil City, Pennsylvania were examined. The theory of
competitive exclusion predicts that food habits of closely related species should not overlap
significantly where the species occur together. Transects in five different habitats were used to
determine food and habitat preferences in wild populations. Captive caterpillars were offered
various foods in the laboratory; weight changes of food and caterpillar were examined daily.
Food habits in overlapping habitats were significantly different between the two species
(ANOVA p=0.001). Food habits in overlapping habitats were significantly different between
the two species (ANOVA p=0.52). There were no differences in food preferences (ANOVA
p=0.76) or growth rates (ANOVA p=0.88) on different foods in the laboratory populations.
These species are able to co-exist because they are not competing for the same and limiting
food resources in the same area. These results support the theory of competitive exclusion
because the two species did not use the same food resources in the same habitats.
A Test of the Competitive Exclusion Theory in Two Related Species of Butterflies
Sarah Dioski, 135 Main St., Oil City, PA 16215
Oil City High School, Oil City, PA
Teacher and/or Mentor: Mrs. Georgiana Spallanzi/Mr. Joseph Pascale
The food habits of larval butterflies of two related species Papilio splendens and Papilio
blanchii in a zone of overlap near Oil City, Pennsylvania were examined. The theory of
competitive exclusion predicts that food habits of closely related species should not overlap
significantly where the species occur together. Transects in five different habitats were used to
determine food and habitat preferences in wild populations. Captive caterpillars were offered
various foods in the laboratory; weight changes of food and caterpillar were examined daily.
Food habits in overlapping habitats were significantly different between the two species
(ANOVA p=0.001). Food habits in overlapping habitats were significantly different between
the two species (ANOVA p=0.52). There were no differences in food preferences (ANOVA
p=0.76) or growth rates (ANOVA p=0.88) on different foods in the laboratory populations.
These species are able to co-exist because they are not competing for the same and limiting
food resources in the same area. These results support the theory of competitive exclusion
because the two species did not use the same food resources in the same habitats.
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